MONROVIA – A group of Nimba County women, under the banner ‘Concerned Mothers of Nimba County” say they were distancing themselves from what they called Senator Nya Twayen’s disruptive agenda on ArcelorMittal Liberia Phase II Expansion.
“We, the Concerned Women of Nimba County—mothers, daughters, sisters, and caretakers, rise today in frustration and despair over the reckless campaign of misinformation and political agitation being orchestrated by Senator Nya Twayen against ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Phase II Expansion Project,” the women said in a statement issued over the weekend.
“We speak not as politicians, but as women who live every day with the harsh realities of poverty, joblessness, and the fragile hopes of our families. We speak for those who rise early to cook for schoolchildren, who till the soil with blistered hands, who stand by their husbands and sons, struggling to earn a living, and who weep silently when opportunities pass their communities by,” the Nimba women further said.
It said it is utterly unacceptable that a leader entrusted with their hopes would now be the loudest voice working against progress, vilifying one of the few companies that continue to invest, employ, train, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s development.
Senator Twayen’s recent statements on social media and radio are not only divisive and misleading, but they are also dangerous, the women said, adding: “Dangerous to the thousands of young Nimbaians whose livelihoods depend on ArcelorMittal. Dangerous to the single mothers whose sons now work in the mines. Dangerous to the students on scholarship. And dangerous to every dream of local empowerment tied to this major investment.”
The Nimba concerned women said while they would not pretend that ArcelorMittal is perfect, acknowledging do have many grievances with the company, some of them valid, they have never believed that progress is achieved by tearing down what little they have in the company’s existence on their land.
“It is built through dialogue, negotiation, and a shared commitment to do better for all,” they further said, asking: “So we ask: How can a leader, a son of this soil, stand in the way of nearly 10,000 direct and indirect jobs that feed Nimba families every day? How can he, with a government salary funded by our taxes, recklessly attack an investment that his own President has welcomed and praised as a game-changer for Liberia? Is it comfort, pride, or political ambition that blinds the Senator from seeing the hardship around him?”
They contrasted their senator’s actions with the inspiring leadership of Superintendent Kou Gono, a woman of strength and wisdom, who at the ArcelorMittal Phase II Launch welcomed the investment, thanked the company for its trust in Liberia, but also held them accountable, demanding that they honor past commitments and deliver on new promises.
“That is leadership. That is what Nimba deserves,” the women group said. “President Joseph Boakai himself said it best at the commissioning of the company’s iron ore concentrator. There will always be issues with concessions, but we must sit around the table and solve them through dialogue. Liberia’s image must be protected.”
The women reflected on promises ArcelorMittal has not yet delivered on fully, “But we will not rest until they meet up with every promise made to us. While we want more, and rightfully so, we cannot ignore the tangible benefits already brought to our county and people.
Some of the benefits brought to Nimba, according to the women, include the the Ganta–Yekepa Road, now stretching toward the Guinean border, fully funded by AML; training Academy in Yekepa, where our children are gaining technical skills and hope; scholarships and support to Nimba University, empowering our next generation; annual contributions of over USD 4 million to the County Social Development Fund, financing health, education, and infrastructure, in our county, and also in Bong and Grand Bassa counties.
They also spoke of the procurement opportunities for local businesses, providing growth for local entrepreneurs; community road and bridge rehabilitation, easing movement and trade; jobs, jobs, jobs—from contractors to engineers, AML has kept many families afloat; the new iron ore concentrator, promising over 200 million in annual government revenue, and even more jobs; we are not blind. We see these things. We feel their impact in our homes.
The women used the position statement to condemn “Senator Nya Twayen’s reckless comments as harmful, divisive, and out of touch with the economic needs of the Nimba people, acknowledging ArcelorMittal’s contributions to our communities and call for more benefits targeted at women, youth, farmers, and vulnerable populations, and endorsing President Boakai’s message of national unity and his call for constructive engagement over confrontation.
“We urge all Nimba leaders, especially those in elected positions, to unite in negotiating the best outcomes from AML’s investment, not chase it away for personal, political, or financial gain,” they further stressed.
“Let it be known: We, the women of Nimba, want more from ArcelorMittal Liberia, but we want it through peaceful negotiations, not provocation. Through dialogue, not demagoguery. Through leadership, not self-serving theatrics,” the group said. “Senator Twayen’s approach will not uplift us; it will isolate us. It will not strengthen our country; it will stain its image.”
“In a time when Liberia needs every investment it can secure, his words risk driving away the very progress our children depend on. We, the Concerned Women of Nimba County, say no to selfish politics, no to blind disruption, and yes to responsible leadership, sustained progress, and unity in action. May our voices be heard.”
Comments are closed.